Firefighters work to clear brush on the Boise National Forest as smoke from the Whiskey Complex hangs in the air.

Credit Photo Courtesy Boise National Forest

Fire officials working to contain and control the Whiskey Complex wildfires burning near Garden Valley, Idaho say conditions on the ground are more like late August, not mid July. "This demonstrates how the very dry vegetation challenges the suppression efforts," spokesperson Dave Olson writes.

The Whiskey Complex is now estimated at 5,740 acres and is 5 percent contained. The string of lightning-caused fires ignited July 13. It's burning in heavy timber and brush.

The Boise National Forest has issued some area closures, including the Hot Springs Campground and parts of Boise County near Placerville, Centerville, and Pioneerville.

Seventy area homes remain on evacuation alert, and residents of Pioneerville and those along the South Fork Payette River road are being asked to be prepared to leave if conditions worsen.

River recreationists should be aware that access to the South Fork Payette hasn't been impact, although people should be aware of helicopters periodically dipping from the river.

Area residents can learn more information at Friday night's public meeting, it's at 6 p.m. at the Centerville Community Center. The evacuation hotline number is 208-462-0552.